Investor, serial entrepreneur and political fundraiser Michael Gary Bronfein, co-founder and CEO of Baltimore’s Curio Wellness cannabis-focused health and wellness company, passed away suddenly of natural causes on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida.
The resident of Owings Mills and Jupiter, Florida, was 70.
A Baltimore native who grew up in the Randallstown area, Bronfein’s 40-plus-year career spanned from banking and retail to the health care industry.
In 1991, he co-founded NeighborCare, which evolved from a neighborhood pharmacy in Baltimore into a nationwide leader in pharmaceutical and clinical services.
Eight years later, Bronfein co-founded Sterling Partners. The growth capital private equity fund grew to approximately $4 billion in assets under his leadership as senior managing director.
He was also a partner at Caves Valley Partners, which reimagined and redeveloped neighborhoods across Baltimore City and County.
“My professional career has been devoted to developing Maryland-based companies and focused on creating value for our customers, employees and shareholders through a culture that rewards meritocracy and upward mobility in a diverse and open environment,” Bronfein told The Daily Record in 2023. “I seek opportunities to improve products and services that offer measurable and noticeably impactful improvements, fill a needed void, or provide a better solution to the community served.”
In 2014, he and his daughter, Wendy, started Curio, a leader in the cannabis space. Its Far & Dotter retail brand provides personalized care and cannabis education through its dispensary, holistic pharmacy and wellness spa.
A certified public accountant and 1977 graduate of the University of Baltimore with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Bronfein was also a committed philanthropist and volunteer in the community. Among the organizations on which Bronfein served as a board member were the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Signal13 Foundation, Harvard Medical School Advisory Board and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
“We are saddened to hear of the news of the passing of longtime board member and Curio Wellness CEO Michael Bronfein,” posted the Greater Baltimore Committee. “His footprint on our organization and the region as a whole was substantial and he will be sorely missed.”
Bronfein was also a longtime supporter of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
“For decades, Michael has been a devoted leader and supporter of The Associated whose presence and commitment helped to strengthen our organization and community,” wrote Bruce S. Hoffberger, chair of the board, and Andrew Cushnir, president and CEO of the federation, in a statement. “His intellect, thoughtfulness and generosity were a gift to our organization and many civic organizations throughout Baltimore.
“He, along with his devoted wife, Jessica have continually demonstrated what it means to be a Jewish leader and they have dedicated their time and philanthropy in many ways; they passed these values onto their children, Wendy, David and Rebecca, who have followed in their parents’ footsteps with a commitment to Jewish identify and community.
“Michael was an incredibly accomplished business leader (read more about Michael’s professional accomplishments: Michael Bronfein | Curio Wellness) and was involved in countless philanthropic organizations in addition to The Associated. His passing leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts but his legacy will continue for generations, and he will forever carry the crown of a good name.”
The families of Michael Bronfein and Richard A. Friedlander were always close and among the founders of Beth Israel Congregation in 1956. A local CPA who lives in Pikesville, Friedlander described his friend of more than 60 years as “unbelievably charitable — charity was a big part of his being. A true leader, in many ways and in many endeavors. Very charismatic and extremely convincing, a Pied Piper-type if you will. He was very engaging and could talk to anyone.”
Friedlander also said Bronfein had “an incredible work ethic. He was always thinking about the next move to be successful, and he was always essentially one or two steps ahead of the next guy. Michael liked to bet on himself, and he always did things right. … We were like family. He was a good neshama, a very good soul, and we had many very special memories together and with our families. It’s a significant loss. He will be missed.”
Bronfein and local attorney Alan M. Rifkin first met at Randallstown High School and remained close friends for more than 50 years.
“Michael was larger than life,” Rifkin said. “Besides being brilliant, he had the Midas touch in business. He understood the complexities of industries like pharmaceuticals and medicine — and later cannabis — that are not easy to traverse. It was really remarkable. Whatever he got himself involved in, he understood it from soup to nuts and could lead people to empower them and make those businesses extraordinary. …
“He had a magnetic personality,” he said. “He could be tough in business, but always with a soft, personal touch. We never had a business call that didn’t turn into a personal call — ‘How’s the family doing?'”
Rifkin said, Bronfein’s highest concern and priority was his family and the community at large.
“Michael prioritized family over everything else,” he said. “He really had his priorities in order, which is the greatest compliment you can give someone. … And he was one of the first from our group from high school to really embrace philanthropy. Michael was constantly looking for what could make the community better. Our community has truly lost one of its guiding lights. Michael can’t ever be replaced, he’s one of a kind. It’s a huge loss, and my thoughts go out to his family and extended family.”
Bronfein is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jessica Bronfein (nee Nathan); his children, Wendy Bronfein and Jonathan Mogol, Rebecca (Bronfein) Raphael and Bradley Raphael, and David and Daniella Bronfein; his siblings, Alan and Angie Bronfein and Renee and Stanton Ades; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Rachel and Larry Weiss and Barry and Janice Nathat; and his grandchildren, Maclaren Mogol, Sasha Mogol, Isabel, Eli, and Emma Raphael, and Leo, Natalina, and Samuel Bronfein.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ina and Arthur Bronfein.
Funeral services for Bronfein will take place next Tuesday, Jan. 27, at noon at Sol Levinson & Bros, 8900 Reistertown Road in Pikesville. Interment at Garrison Forest Cemetery of Chizuk Amuno Congregation, 11401 Garrison Forest Road in Owings Mills.
Contributions in his memory may be sent to The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore 5700 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21215.
The family will be in mourning at 11300 John Carroll Road in Owings Mills.
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